Sciatica is nerve pain from an injury or irritation to the sciatic nerve, originating in the buttock/gluteal area. The sciatic nerve is the body's longest and thickest (almost finger-width) nerve. It is made up of five nerve roots: two from the lower back region called the lumbar spine and three from the final section of the spine called the sacrum. The five nerve roots form the right and left sciatic nerves. True injury to the sciatic nerve "sciatica" is rare, but "sciatica" is commonly used to describe pain in the lower back radiating down the leg.
Unfortunately, many people suffer from sciatica at some point in time during their life. Since the condition can be painful and affect many people, finding effective sciatic nerve pain relief is so important. Practices such as Clinique TAGMED are equipped with the necessary resources to provide superior-quality sciatica treatment options to their patients.
People describe sciatica pain in different ways, depending on its cause. Some people describe the pain as sharp, shooting, or jolts of pain. Others describe this pain as "burning," "electric," or "stabbing." The pain may be constant or may come and go. Moreover, the pain is usually more severe in the leg compared to the lower back. The pain may feel worse if patients sit or stand for long periods when they stand up and twist their upper bodies. A forced and sudden body movement, like a cough or sneeze, can also make the pain worse.
Some people may confuse sciatica pain with a cramp or a minor muscle spasm, preventing them from receiving the necessary care. Therefore, it is best to consult healthcare professionals at Clinique TAGMED so that they can confirm the diagnosis and prepare a sciatica treatment plan.
The symptoms of sciatica include:
On experiencing any of the above signs and symptoms, people must seek sciatica treatment and make an appointment with private clinics like Clinique TAGMED. These establishments anticipate their patient's needs and transform with them, considering their requirements when preparing their treatment schedule.
Although many sciatica cases are known to resolve naturally over time, people must not wait too long to seek treatment. In fact, on top of causing painful symptoms and discomfort, in sciatica cases caused by a severe underlying condition, postponing sciatica treatment can result in permanent or long-lasting complications. Moreover, some symptoms need attention even sooner. For example, the "cauda equina syndrome" calls for urgent consultation with a physician. This syndrome occurs when multiple nerve roots are compressed and may result in incontinence, weakness of the legs, and numbness in the buttock. Addressing sciatica symptoms early on has a positive impact on surgical outcomes and conservative treatment results.
Acute sciatica can eventually turn into chronic sciatica if it is not addressed in a reasonable period. If somebody suffers from sciatica symptoms for more than a few weeks, there is a good chance they will not achieve pain relief with at-home or DIY methods and will need medical attention. Enterprises such as Clinique TAGMED make active efforts to update their knowledge, medical equipment, and treatment technologies to provide superior sciatica care and relief to all their clients.
Most people recover fully from sciatica. However, chronic (ongoing and lasting) pain can become a complication. If the pinched nerve is seriously injured, chronic muscle weakness, such as a "drop foot," might occur when numbness in the foot makes normal walking impossible. Sciatica can potentially cause permanent nerve damage, resulting in a loss of feeling in the affected legs. Individuals must call healthcare service providers like Clinique TAGMED immediately if they lose feeling in their legs or feet or have any concerns during their recovery time.
Depending on the cause, there are many sciatica treatment opportunities available in the country. After a physical examination, medical professionals at practices like Clinique TAGMED use magnetic resonance (MRI) or axial tomography (CT) to diagnose the issue and suggest appropriate sciatica treatment procedures. If the sciatica is caused by a herniated disc, protrusion, bulging disc, pinched disc, or desiccation, or when it is due to stenosis or spondylolisthesis, neuro vertebral decompression treatment is known to be one of the most effective sciatica treatments. It is a non-invasive sciatica treatment alternative during which the spine is gently stretched using a computer-controlled decompression table to reduce pressure in the compressed discs and vertebrae.
In cases where sciatica is caused by arthritis, osteoarthritis, poor posture, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, lumbar vertebrae joint dysfunction, lumbar vertebrae misalignment, pelvic misalignment, sprains, or pregnancy, osteopathic treatment provided by Clinique TAGMED promises exceptional outcomes.
The good news is most cases of sciatica do not require surgery. Instead, time, self-care, and access to high-quality medical attention can help heal sciatica pain. A healthcare provider can check the cause of the pain, suggest sciatica treatment options, and help people recover faster.
A private practice based in Montreal and Terrebonne, Clinique TAGMED offers a full range of high-technology therapies that allow patients to achieve faster and more lasting results for both acute and chronic conditions. The clinic's healthcare professionals have over 25 years of experience in the musculoskeletal field. As a result, they can determine the cause of pain and plan an effective treatment program tailored to the patient's needs and preferences without compromising medical care quality.